Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(123): "Ruling on Giving a Kidney"

Date Added : 01-12-2015

Resolution No.(123)(10/2008): "Ruling on Giving a Kidney"

Date: 29/11/1429 AH, corresponding to 27/11/2008.

 

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds; and may his blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.

 

In its seventh meeting and on the above date, the Board reviewed the following question:

 

I`m 37 years old and have been inflicted with diabetes for twenty four years. I also suffer from kidney failure and high blood pressure. Unfortunately, I couldn`t undergo kidney transplantation because the blood group of my brothers , sisters and kinsmen differed from mine. Moreover, I have gone to Malaysia, Egypt, Syria and have contacted people in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and India; however, I wasn`t fortunate enough to undergo that surgery because the law in those countries bans giving a kidney to a person from a different nationality.

 

I would like to attract your attention to the fact that my health is on the decline and I have reports proving that.

In addition, a friend of mine is willing to give me one of his kidneys for Allah`s sake. Is it permissible for a non-relative to give his kidney to a patient because the latter`s family members have a different blood group?

After researching and deliberating, the Board decided what follows:

 

Giving a kidney to the (asker) in the above situation isn`t permissible because it is a leap in the dark, it violates Sharia, and there is an available alternative: dialysis. And Allah Knows Best.

 

Chairman of the Iftaa` Board/ His Grace Dr. Nooh Al-Qhodatt

Vice-Chairman of the Iftaa` Board, Dr. Ahmad Hilayel

Sheikh Abdulkareem Khasawneh/ Member

Sheikh Sa`eed Hijjawi/ Member

              Dr. Mohammad Khair Al-`Eesa/ Member

                                                            Judge Sari Attieh/ Member

   Dr. Abdulrahman Ibdah/ Member

                       Dr. Mohammad Oklah Al-Ibraheem/ Member

            Dr. Abdulnaser Abu Al-Basal/ Member

                            Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh/ Executive Secretary of the Iftaa Board        

 

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

Is it permissible to purchase the Udhiyah on installments?

It is permissible to purchase the sacrificial animal (uḍḥiyyah) on installments or by borrowing its price. However, it is not recommended for the poor to do so, because they are not required to offer a sacrifice, and Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity. If doing so would lead to negligence in providing for one's dependents (nafaqah wājibah), then giving precedence to obligatory maintenance over borrowing to buy the sacrifice is appropriate. This is based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): "It is sufficient sin for a person to withhold food from those whom he is responsible to support."
 
Furthermore, the sacrifice is valid from one who has a debt, but it is preferable (awlā) to repay the debt first, especially if the debt is due immediately (ḥāll). And Allah Almighty knows best.

What is the ruling on fasting for those with diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, or ulcers?

● A sick person who is completely unable to fast is exempted from fasting and must offer fidyah (feeding a needy person), as Allah Almighty says {what means}: "and [in such cases] it is incumbent upon those who can afford it to make sacrifice by feeding a needy person." [Al-Baqarah/184]. They are not required to make up for the missed fasts.
● A sick person who can fast on some days but not others should fast when able and make up the missed days after Ramadan when possible. No fidyah is required in this case.
● If fasting during the long, hot summer days is too difficult for a sick person, but they can make up the fasts during the shorter, cooler winter days, they should break their fast and make up for it when they are able, without fidyah.

Is Zakat al-Fitr obligatory for an unborn child (fetus)?

Zakat al-Fitr is not obligatory for a fetus. However, if the child is born before sunset on the last day of Ramadan, then Zakat al-Fitr must be given on their behalf.

Who is required to give fidyah for fasting?

Fidyah—feeding one needy person for each missed fasting day—is required for:
1. Those who are permanently unable to fast, such as:
○ Elderly men and women who are too weak to fast.
○ People with chronic illnesses that have no hope of recovery.
2. Pregnant or breastfeeding women who break their fast out of fear for their child (fetus or infant).
3. A person who delays making up Ramadan fasts (qada) until the next Ramadan begins, without a valid excuse.
4. The estate of a deceased person who had missed obligatory fasts and had the ability to make them up but did not do so.